Lori_K

I'm loving the motivation here, you all are wonderful! I made 3 miles on my treadmill yesterday! Almost back to 5K (3.2 miles) . . . 5K just sounds so much better I really broke into a sweat, I had my t-shirt wet. Feelin' the burn. I even lost a pound, so that's motivating. I've been plateaued ever since the feeding frenzy of the holidays. Gonna keep up the 3 miles today, and do some steps for a half hour. This last bit weight is really gonna fight me to come off, and I'm gonna give it the fight! :reddevil: Still fightin' the dang hunger too . . . everyday it's a challenge, who's gonna win? I so want to! Can't wait for my next fill. Hang in there everyone! :banghead:

Congratz Ezma on the new house! That is so exciting. I hope you and your hubby have a wonderful romantic dinner in your new home, it sounds like you both deserve it. That's a great way to start out living in a new home! I hope your hubby is feeling much better. It sounds like you've been through so much. Time to relax and enjoy the good things in life, you are not a "bad girl" for missing some exercise. Give yourself a much needed break. I wish you the best! I'm taking it easy myself today - did my treadmill yesterday for my usual 2.5 miles (still can't up it yet, but I'm working on it), but later that day I went to the dentist, and had to have oral surgery to remove a back molar tooth. I'm kinda sore today, and on some strong medication, so I'm gonna let the exercise slide today and take it easy. Hopefully tomorrow will be better, and I'll back up and jogging away again!

I did it! It stopped snowing, the skies cleared and the sun came out. I went out and shoveled the entire steps, walkway and driveway. Took me about an hour. I think I underestimated what a good cardiovascular work out this could be! I'm feelin' it in my arms and thigh muscles, and I did work up a sweat. But, I got a good workout, plus some fresh air and sunshine too! :wink2: Thanks for the tip about twisting and throwing, I kept your advice in mind the entire time I was out there. :thumbup: Oy, I LOVE shopping . . . I just wish I had the money! Valentine's Day, birthday and bandiversary - Tap, it sounds like you deserve 3 dates to me. lol :ohmy: Valentine's Day is on a Saturday this year, so make plans and reservations early. Let us know if you make any exciting plans! StLouisGal - good workout! I hear you loud and clear when you mention stepping up the exercise - my weight is at a standstill too, and I agree exercise is the way. I need to get myself to a fitness center, as I don't think my treadmill alone is doing it for me. I've been procrastinating getting to a fitness center though. That's my next step to push myself towards. :laugh: <--- instead of you, it should be "we can do this!" Yes we can!

Thanks for the encouragement Tap! You are very right. :wink2: And I agree with LittleMissDiva, I had a hard time just walking last year! Got some snow coming here too (on top of what we've already had) so I'll get out and get some of that outdoor (shoveling) activity. I miss being outside! I did 3 hours of the "shopping exercise" yesterday, :thumbup: and I got myself a CUTE outfit to wear on Valentine's day (going out for a DATE with my hubby, we have not been out for Valentine's day in years! I'm excited). This is my first time in a long time that I bought a form fitting top :thumbup: - I'm still quite thick around the middle, but I do have a waist! (Shinyhappymommy, you look fabulous, I want that figure!) :thumbup: Everyone is so inspiring! I'm a little depressed with my band right now, :ohmy: so I need this. Hanging in there, things will get better, and I'm not giving up! :laugh:

I haven't been checking in here everyday, but I have been following this thread - reading everyone's posts is giving me some motivation to hang in there and do my own exercise! I think I have the January blahs. You ladies have some impressive work outs! The shopping work out sounds the best though Ezma :coffee: (I hope your hubby is ok) So latest check in for me: still doing my treadmill, I have it up to 2.5 miles in about 35 minutes (not fast, but it is work for me, and I am getting my heart rate up and sweating like crazy) . . . I'm trying to work back up to my 5k (3.2 miles) that I was doing before the holidays hit. I'll get there yet! I drove over to check out the Curves that is close to my house, they closed up But there's a new place called Planet Fitness, their claim is to be exercise in a "judgment free atmosphere", so maybe I'll give them a try. I've lost my weight using mostly my treadmill, but I think I really need to do something new. Over the summer I was able to do long bike rides, so maybe a stationary bike will help. I feel so backwards and behind with my lap-band :tongue2: Still trying to find good restriction. I saw my surgeon last week, he put back 2cc's, and I have another appointment in 3 weeks, so *maybe* by then I'll have some control over this hunger. I'm still really having a hard time with this. :wub: Still hangin' in there with everyone...

I've been jogging 2.5 miles on my treadmill since New Years without fail, & TRYING to keep calories below 1200. I'd like to go lower, but I'm too darn hungry. My weight isn't moving. Damn perpetual bandster's hell is what it feels like. I have less Fluid in my band than when I had my very first fill. Today is a good day to check out Curves - I need something new. Does anyone else go there? Do you like it? Thanks.

Thanks for the nice comments girlfriends, it's soooo nice to have a place to come to, and spill your feelings and have people understand what you're going through. I mean, yes that's what this forum is for . . . but it just feels so much more cozy here in the double v's forum. (((warm hugs))) all. It was good to write that post above out, I am feeling better. I guess it's true what they say about writing out your feelings. I've been staying on plan so far! Fighting the hunger, but keeping the calories below 1200 and exercising. Just hanging in there, I have a fill appointment coming up next Wednesday. :thumbup: Let's keep reaching for those goals! We can all do this :thumbup:

First, Happy New Year to all! :w00t: Ah, the big "bandiversary", it's so amazing to me that I've come this far. This time last year, I was worried about the fast approaching surgery date. It seems like just yesterday! I don't think I'm going to set a goal weight for my bandiversary, mostly for the same reasons as Ezma. I'm gonna do the same things - keep up my daily exercise, TRY and keep my calories below 1200, and (one of my New Year's resolutions) to join a fitness program -probably Curves, there's one so close to my home, so I have no excuse not to. (Downer alert, I apologize) Sadly, right now, of the entire year of having my band, is my lowest point. I feel awful and I'm in tears over this "tool" for the first time. I know I shouldn't, but I'm beginning to feel like I failed at this. Yes, I've lost some good weight, and I'm happy about that. But I'm also in danger of gaining it all back. The reason? I have not now, nor really ever, found that freakin' elusive SWEET SPOT. If I have a goal for my bandiversary, it would be to have some good restriction, so I'm not hungry anymore. My strength and will power are sinking. I've had some problems in the last two months - when I hit 6cc's in my band, I was too tight, and ended up in the emergency room unable to swallow, and I was vomiting. All 6 cc's were removed, to let my stomach rest. Over the next two office visits with my surgeon, he put back 3cc's, then 1.75 cc's (the second fill I think he was going slow, knowing that I seem to be sensitive with the fills). Then I messed this up, by getting a piece of turkey stuck on Christmas Day (of all days). I stayed stuck for 2 hours, the pain was awful. And I've eaten turkey so many times before, I know better to take small bites and chew thoroughly. (sigh) I made a mistake and swallowed to soon. The problem, after the turkey became unstuck, I continued to vomit all night long. I couldn't stop. I know this is bad for the band, so once again, I'm off to the ER. Some IV fluids and some IV anti-nausea medication later, I finally feel better. Still, when my surgeon got to the hospital that morning, he came to the ER and removed 2 more cc's of Fluid. So . . . I'm approaching my bandiversary, I have no restriction, and maybe about 2.75 cc's in my band. I know bad times and complications happen with this band, I didn't go into this surgery blind, I did my homework. I guess you really don't know how hard it all can be until you experience it. Thanks for letting me vent girlfriends, and I'm sorry this is so long. My problems haven't been eating or exercise, if it were, I would not have lost any weight. My problem is - I just can't seem to get in sync with my lap-band. I want my band to help me out a bit more. I'm tired of the hunger pangs. My husband says I should "just go ahead and eat", but I'm afraid. I desperately don't want to gain anything back. I'm scared that if I start doing that, it'll all come back, like so many times before. Maybe that's an irrational thought, but that fear has been ingrained into my brain for most of my life, it's hard to let go of it now. I did good over the holidays, I maintained my weight. I'm trying to focus on the positives like that, it's just hard right now. I want to lose the rest of the weight I need to. (((deep breath)))... ok, still swimming and never giving up, it's just very tough. The uphill swimming is wearing me out. I need some motivation, a kick in the behind, a smack upside the head, or whatever it takes to get me in gear again. :confused: Good luck to everyone on reaching your bandiversary goals! I know you can do it. Shinyhappymommy, congratz on losing 100 pounds! :cursing: Awesome work, and it gives me some hope that I will get there too. :tt2: Right now I'm just hoping I'll make that goal sometime in the upcoming year.

Beautiful words to live by!:sad_smile:

Wow, you do have a lot on your plate right now Ezma. :girl_hug: I hope your husband is doing ok and will be feeling better soon. With all you have going on, you're still stopping by to think of us. God Bless you! I'm gonna keep you and your hubby in my thoughts and prayers. You hang in there too - we are all here for you as well! Be sure to take time to relax in between all that hustle and bustle. Wishing you many weight losses too! Thinking healthier during this season is a good way to go. (I gotta avoid those darn Christmas cookies!) :thumbup: I agree the New Year will help. It'll be here before we know it! Hang in there sweetie ((((more warm hugs and prayers)))) Merry Christmas and I hope your Husband has a wonderful birthday, and all the doctor appointments go by smoothly and fast. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Thanks Ezma, you're absolutely right, I should be thankful for any weight loss right now. I'm sorry to hear about your reversal to a gain - I hope it changes for you soon! It is such a struggle for all of us right now. But we're still in it together :girl_hug: I saw your post regarding the "marriage phase" of the band - that's a good analogy. I agree. As long as it doesn't end in a divorce, :thumbup: I'm content to be happily married to by band. Well - some of that honeymoon stuff back would be nice. :tt2: Maybe at the start of the new year we'll find some motivation again, when everyone seems to be dieting & exercising, 'cus we're all thinking about Spring coming. Well, I know it's bad to think of this lap-band as a diet - it's not - I know it's a life style change for good. Do you think maybe this time of the year has something to do with it too? The shorter days, the longer nights, I've heard somewhere that can slow metabolism. Like we all just wanna eat, put on weight, and hibernate. :smile2: I know with the cold dark Michigan days, it's tough to exercise as much. I have no excuse 'cus I have a treadmill in the house, but I know I got more exercise during those summer (the honeymoon!) months. It didn't get dark until after 9pm. I used to go for long bike rides then. Now it's dark around 4:30pm, and lots of snow here in Michigan. Cold and dark. Yeah, it makes me wanna sleep, lol. :thumbup: Anyway - let's enjoy the Holidays, and hope for some new enthusiam in the coming New Year! (((Warm Hugs)))

It's nice to meet you Audrey, and congratulations on your terrific weight lost! Welcome to onederland! :thumbup: Your post really made me smile. Love to you as well, please stay in touch! :thumbup: My own personal Christmas goal - not to gain anything, LOL. I managed that over Thanksgiving, now I have to get through Christmas. It's those homemade Christmas Cookies that are my enemy! I have a hard time resisting those. I used to bake a lot myself at Christmas - I'd make several batches of different kinds of cookies, then put them in Christmas tins and share them with family (saving some for my own household, of course!) This year I don't know if I can bake all that, and not over eat them. My weakness! The New Year's resolution to join Curves - hey, I'd like to get in on that. Do they have a special going on now? Love and Merry Christmas to all! (or however you Celebrate, I wish you the very best of the holidays).

Hello StLouisGal, I just wanted to comment on what you wrote about shopping. I too have the energy to shop this year (too bad not as much money, lol) . . . but it is SO different from this time last year. I remember one day in particular, when it was really cold out - my hubby and I parked far back from the mall (those bad shopping crowds!), and we had to hustle across the parking lot, in some very bitter cold winds. By the time we got to the mall, I had to sit down, I was so out of breath. Then I started to panic attack - I felt like everyone was staring at the "fat lady" who can't even walk without getting out of breath. I really started to feel sick to my stomach, my heart was racing - all of which just escalated my anxiety. I told my husband I couldn't stay - we had to leave. I felt like I was gonna throw-up. Luckily I have a very kind husband who was very understanding - he didn't make me feel bad, he just went and got the truck, pulled it up to the entrance so I wouldn't have to walk back across the parking lot again. I was afraid to go shopping again (especially malls) for a long time. Ouch, painful memory. But it really makes it all the more sweet this year, when I can zoom across the parking lot without a problem, stay on my feet for hours, and any anxiety is non-existent. It amazes me what a difference a year has made. Truly one of the best NSVs, but not so good on the money! :thumbup: I'm plodding along too - weight loss has slowed to about a pound every other week. Not so good, but I'll never be giving up this fight! If I have to swim uphill then that's what I'll do. Hang in there with us - love you too! Have a Very Merry Christmas (or whatever you Celebrate )

Thanks Ezma, it's great to hear from you too (((Warm Hugs))) I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I had a fabulous one here, I actually ate too much, but also had fun with my family - we love getting together and playing games. Now I'm ready to bring on Christmas! :thumbup: It does feel weird being without a computer for a few days, doesn't it? I know I'm addicted to mine, and long to get back on it when I've been away awhile.

Yet another double V here who's been away for a long while . . . I'm so sorry! I really miss all the friendly faces & names here, and everyone's support and advice has always helped me so much. I just had to stop by and wish my valentine sisters a very Happy Thanksgiving! Band land has been mostly quiet for me, except for about two weeks ago. I had some really intense pain in that area of my stomach/chest where the band is, plus I was vomiting. Scared that I might have slipped, I went directly to the ER. X-Rays showed no slip, my band was just too tight (I had 6cc's in a 10 cc band). They removed ALL the Fluid ( eek - I'd never thought I'd miss 6 cc's of saline so much!) to let my stomach rest. Once the fluid was out, I felt so much better. I've been back for an office visit with my surgeon, and he put back 4cc's already. If that works out ok, I return in one week after Thanksgiving to get more saline back into the band, but not up to 6cc's of course. I guess that was my "overfill" spot :sad: So that's the only exciting thing I have to offer for now - losing has been very slow but steady for me. With very little restriction in my band right now, I'm gonna be able to eat on Thanksgiving (and I'm gonna enjoy it, but watch it at the same time, lol). I'll be making all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes for my family this year, with lots of help from my hubby & sister. So everyone, it really is good to hear from you! I see some names I've missed so much. I need a stern kick in the behind to keep closer contact here. Before you know it, we'll all be celebrating our one year band-anniversary I'm not making any "number" goals for myself - I'm just gonna keep on trying my best to lose, even if slowly, and see where I'm at by one year. I probably need to change that fish avatar picture - I just haven't had any pictures of me that I like (girls I'm just so camera shy, lol). Although I've grown somewhat attached to the fish picture - it's been with me since I started all this! =) Still swimming here, against the current, but hanging strong! :crying: I wish everyone a very blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving! No matter where we are in our journeys, we are all winners, we have each other, and that is something to be truly Thankful for! :cool2: (where's my sister-from-another-mister Marathinner? I miss you!)

Hi Lindata, I've had similar symptoms, just as you are describing - that acid feeling, some days it's not there, but mostly bad at night. I saw my doctor, and it turns out that my band was too tight - I had an unfill, and I haven't had any problems since. Good luck, and I hope you are feeling better after your doctor visit. :laugh:

Beaumont Hospital, Michigan Center of Excellence

Hello all, Newcomer to this thread here :eek: I'm really impressed with all the terrific stories I've been reading, and I'd really like to get in on some of this great training. I've been trying to change up my exercise, my weight loss has really slowed down. Currently, I'm able to do 5k (3.2 miles) on my treadmill, but I seem to be really slow yet - I move at a speed of 3.5, and it takes me about 50 minutes to complete the 5k. If I try to push it faster, I really get wore out before I can complete the 5K. Anyone have any suggestions on increasing my speed, or where I should go from here? I've looked over the exercise plan, and I'm just not sure where I should start at this point. I'd love to get that 5k in under 40 minutes at least. How fast is jogging? At 3.5, am I still just walking fast? Is there a difference between doing the 5K outside, or on the treadmill? And lastly - how do I become a member of LITE? I apologize for all the questions! I've read most but not all of this thread. If anyone has the time to give this newcomer some advice, I'd greatly appreciate it. Congratz to all of you on how far you've come! Your stories are inspirational :eek:

I take the chewable Bariatric Advantage Vitamins (VitaBand) too - and I agree with you, the lemon-cream ones are awful! However, there is another flavor - Watermelon. I like the watermelon, it is MUCH better. Maybe your Nutritionist can find them for you? At Beaumont Hospital's Weight Control Center, I was given a sample of each chewable vitamin, to see what flavor I liked. Here's a link to the website of these vitamins: Bariatric Advantage - Multi-Vitamins (and here's a direct link to the watermelon ones: Bariatric Advantage - Bariatric Advantage VitaBand Chewable Multivitamin - Watermelon (180ct) Maybe you could show it to your nutritionist, and you can collaborate with him/her on getting a sample of the watermelon ones, to see if it works for you - before you spend the money on those vitamins again. Best of luck to you!

Hi Donna! Walking seems to be working for me (although I love the bike too). My treadmill is my best friend - when I first started this journey, I could barely stay on it for 5 minutes. Talk about a couch potato, LOL! :thumbup: Now I can stay on for about 50 minutes, although some days I do 30 minutes. I have gradually increased the speed as my body gets used to it. Right now I'm trying to jog on my treadmill instead of just walk fast - and just like walking was in the beginning, it's hard! But I'm hanging in there. I try and do some exercise everyday - although yes, I have those days that I just don't get to it. I was sore a lot in the beginning, but as the weight started coming off and my body adjusted, I really started to look forward to my workouts. During the nicer days I do get out on my bike, and during the spring/summer I worked a lot in my yard and gardens. I haven't joined a gym or anything like that yet, but I'm thinking of giving Curves a try, just to see what it does for me. Try and do what exercise you can everyday, drink all your Water, get your Protein intake, and listen to the wisdom that your dietitian/nutritionist gives you (I'll admit I've become a bit of a health food nut, lol), and you'll see great results! It can be hard at times as you begin a new way of eating and exercise, but the "old life style" that I was doing - that life style was making me unhealthy - so I always keep that in mind when days get rough, and those awful plateaus hit. The treadmill or bike at the YMCA sounds like a good start. Did you first ask Dr. Krause when you should start exercising? I waited for my first post-op check up (although I was already walking), and I think he said then that I was ok to do anything. I tend to be conservative and get the professional opinion first - but that's just me I treat my lap-band carefully, it's been so good to me, I just don't want to mess anything up! Of course, regular walking is great (and it sounds like you did great at Halloween - I give you credit!) so I'm sure that's a great way to start. Good luck, let me know how you do!

Donna, what good news! :cool2: I'm so happy to hear everything went well for you, and that you were able to still trick-or-treat with your son! That is really special :biggrin: Congratulations on starting your lapband journey! It is exciting beginning a new life and a new you. It's been about 8 months for me now, and I'm still so happy with my lapband. :biggrin: If you ever want to chat about anything, you know where to find your girlfriends here All my best to you!

Hi Donna, It really depends on the type of arrhythmia you are having - if you haven't had it checked in 20 years, and you're experiencing episodes of it, you definitely need to get back to your doctor and get it checked. My Cardiologist told me I probably had my SVT all my life - I just really didn't start having symptoms until my late 30's. How they treated my SVT - first with medication, but after awhile that didn't work. So then I had a procedure done known as EP (electro-physiology) studies with Cardiac Ablation (google for a better explanation than mine, lol). The SVT was caused by extra "pathways" in my heart, that conduct the electric impulses created by my heart - causing it to beat faster (up to over 200 times a minute). With the Cardiac ablation, they went into a large blood vessel in my groin, and passed catheters up through to my heart. Once there, the doctor ablated (burned I think?) the extra electrical pathways in my heart. It's amazing the techonlogy doctors do have to help you! The procedure for me was easy - I was in a "twilight" sleep during it, and had no pain at all. I did spend one night in the hospital so they could watch my heart rhythm. It's been about 5 years since that procedure now, and I have no SVT or any other problems with my heart since, and I'm not on any medicine. It feels good to have that problem gone! :smile: But there are other arrhythmias you might have (do you have the hard pounding heart beat?) . . . maybe you just have something that doesn't need treatment - but hey, please don't listen to me - get to a doctor (if you've been diagnosed with an arrhythmia, you should be seeing a cardiologist) and get it checked out. Even if there was no problem back then, it's good to have it checked now. Best of luck to you!

I am familiar with this feeling of hard heart pounding (exactly like you said - like it's coming out of my chest) and shortness of breath, but I had it long before my Lap-Band. My heart had an arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) know as SVT (super ventricular tachycardia - a fast heart rate). I was told that this wasn't uncommon. Of course I can in no way say this is what you have, just that you are describing similar symptoms that I had. The important thing: Get to your doctor and make sure he/she refers you to a cardiologist, so you can be diagnosed. Don't pass this off as anxiety (people told me that what it was with me too - and it wasn't). My irregular heart beat was treatable, and I'm free of it today. Get yourself to a doctor quickly, and best of luck to you!

Gadget, I just read your post in the other forum - and I was truly touched by the beauty of it. It is so nice to see people working together and reaching a positive outcome, and it's especially nice to see something positive come out of this very long and arduous thread. I admire your efforts and all the research you've put into this. You deserve applause and accolades for the hard work you've done, and for practicing what you preach. It's nice to see that a mother does indeed have a "choice" when it comes to an unwanted pregnancy - and death of another life doesn't have to be one of those choices. You've accomplished so much - you helped a couple deal with a difficult decision, you helped another couple achieve their dream of starting a new family - but most of all ... You saved a life. Bravo to you!

Hi Spunkey, I'm sorry to hear about your slow weight loss. I hope you are getting more than guilt trips when going for a fill - are you and your doctor able to determine if you have good restriction? You mentioned not being able to eat much - maybe try keeping track of your calories for awhile? I use FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal and I heard Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate is very good too (actually I wish I had started with that site, but I'm used to fitday now). Keeping track of my calories helps me see how much I am really taking in - even little bits of the wrong foods can really add up. Do you get a chance to work with a dietitian or nutritionist? They can really help you in choosing the right foods. I was also using the Isopure drink for the 40gm of protein, but my dietitian suggested getting my protein from more solid foods - you'll have less hunger. I only drink Isopure now when I get a fill, I need to be on liquids for 24 hours after a fill. I hope some of this helps! Good luck and hang in there, I hope the scale will begin to move for you soon.